Scoop: Microsoft bets on WebRTC for Skype’s browser future

Skype (s MSFT) is taking first steps towards a browser-based future, and it is doing so by embracing a key technology open sourced by Google (s GOOG) last year: New job postings on Microsoft’s website suggest that WebRTC will be at the core of Skype’s next generation messaging architecture. This is a big step for Skype. Not only would it allow to facilitate voice and video calls in the browser without the need for any plugins, it could also lead to Skype finally opening up its walled garden and becoming interoperable with the next generation of Google Talk and other voice and video chat services.

Microsoft has been working on bringing Skype to the browser for some time. First job offers searching for relevant talent popped up earlier this year, but a number of new postings published in June reveal that WebRTC will play a key role in these…